The women who create Timbali Crafts are all volunteer cooks at care points for orphans and vulnerable children in the rural Swaziland communities of Engculwini and Nsoko. The 90 women of Timbali Crafts help feed more than 2600 children each day at 30 different care points.
The women themselves face many hardships: most are either widowed or
abandoned, many are single mothers, or grandmothers raising their
orphaned grandchildren. Timbali Crafts was started in 2006 to help
reach out to the physical and spiritual needs of these hard-working
women and their families who would otherwise have little or none.
In a country where 2/3 of the population lives on less an a dollar a
day, many of the Timbali women earn between $70 and $100 a month. Money
earned by the Timbali women goes to help with the basic needs of their families such as
school fees, medical care, food, and housing. The women are also
assisted in saving throughout the year, in preparation for school fees
due each January.
Timbali reaches out in emergency situations with food baskets for families who have lost a loved one, or have a special need, and also medical care when needed
REACHING OUT TO SPIRITUAL NEEDS
Timbali Crafts was started out of a weekly Bible study with some of the women, and pointing them to Jesus continues to be the central goal. The Timbali women take part in regular Bible studies and also attend a yearly camp, where they can rest, laugh, and be encouraged.
WHAT DOES “TIMBALI” MEAN?
Timbali means “flowers” in the local language, Siswati. It is also the word used to translate “lillies” in Matthew 6, when Jesus talked about his loving care and provision for His children. Our hope is that God will use Timbali Crafts to help meet the needs of these hardworking women.
This is an amazing ministry. Last weekend we were able to help out with a Christmas party for the
Gogo’s of Timbali. We assembled gift bags in the office and made sugar cookies for them todecorate. The party was full of dancing and food and celebrating the 80th birthday for
Gogo Ruby. It was beautiful seeing all these women come together and celebrate.
the Gogo’s in Nsoko and instead of presents I think we are going to
kill a cow.
Comments (6)
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
Thanks, Seth.
This is one of those times when “commerce is “Christmas”.
Wow, I have seen these “gogo’s” cut the fabric for these bags. They are so dedicated to caring for the orphans in Swaziland. The opportunities for work are very slim, and making these bags is a way for them to make an income.
In the area of Nsoko the HIV/AIDS rate is 90%. We CAN make a difference in the lives of these women and their children, the orphans of Swazi, by how we spend our money. I have bought several for the women in my life, for Christmas presents. I know it will be a blessing to them and the women in Swazi.
Happy shopping with a purpose!
Thank you very much!
I ordered one and posted this blog to my Facebook wall. I like what Joy said: shopping with a purpose!
Here you go: https://timbalicrafts.org/
I would like a catalog of items available for sale